Print-flattening device



Nov. 6, 1928. 1,691,023

G. M. DYE

PRINT FLATTENI NG DEVICE Filed nec. so. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 nja.

JJ lll! L 37d Patentedk Nov. 6, 1928.

I UNITED STATES GLEN M. DYE, OF MIINNAIOLISJ MINNESOTA.

rmN'r-FLATTENING revien.

Application iled DccemberSO, 1925.l Serial No. 78,337.

`This invention relates to a machine lfor flattening photographic prints or similar articles. As is Well known to thoseV skilledfin the art, when a photographic print is dry it often becomes curled or bent. Sometimes the concave sidelof the curl or bent portion is on the emulsion side, and in some cases the concave curve is on the plain side of the print.

It is desirable to have these `printsstraight or flattened after such drying vor subsequent operation; The prints are sometimes so brittle and so much curled thatif they are reversely bent inv an effort to flatten the same the prints will crack on the emulsion side. It is desirable therefore to provide some method and means for preventing such cracking.y The degree ofcurl orv curve varies greatly in different prints and some prints thus require a greater flattening or straightening effect than others.

It is an object of this inventiomtherefore, to provide a simple and eflicient method for flattening curled prints.

It is a `further object of the invention to provide a simple and eliicientprint flattening means, together with means Vor varying the degree of flattening effect.- l

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and efficient print flattening means and means for treating'the prints so that the same will not be cracked inthe flattening operation. It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple and efficient print flattening means in combination with means for moistening the prints prior to the flattening operation so that they will not be cracked. v

It is still another object ofthe invention to provide ay print flattening means comprising a traveling memberlwith whichthe prints travel to the point where the flattening` operation takes place, together with means for moistening the print while it is moved with' Y said traveling member.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a print flattening device having spaced parallel rollers and a plurality of adjacent comparatively narrow strips running there-k over in parallel relation by means of which the print is carried, said strips preferably being elastic. j

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully `set forth in the following j description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which kfrom the right of Fig. l

like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views, and in which,

k Figa 1 is a view in side elevation of the d'evice;l K y Y 2 is a view in front elevation, as seen Fig. '3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;v and l Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 ofl Fig. 3.'

, Referring to the drawings, a machinev is vshown comprising a base member 5 to each side of which are secured the upstanding plates 6 and 7 forming standards, which plates are of the shape shown in Figs. 1 and- The plates 6 and 7 are connectedby a plurality of bars 7a, 7 b, .7 C and 7 l extending there-l between and secured thereto. The plate 6 has*A a bearing boss 6a projecting therefromv in which is journaled a driving shaft 8, said shaft being supported at its outer end in a bearing bracket 9 illustrated as l a bar reversely bent'at right` angles to extend parallel with the plate 6k and be secured thereto at one endv by suitable bolts. carries a pulley 10 over which runs a driving belt 11 also running over a pulley 12 secured to a suitable motor 13. The motor 13 is illustrated as of the electrical type and is secured to a plate 14 Vmounted on the base'. A pin-A ion `15 is secured in shaft 8 and meshes with a gear 16 carried on a shaft 17 extending be-` The driving shaft 8A i' tween'fand journaled in the plates 6 and7.

'The gear 16, in turn, meshes with a gear18 ofv vthe same size which is also mounted on a shaft 19 which also extends between and is jour-A naled in the plates 6 and 7. The shaft 17 carries a roller 20 having a length equal substantially to thedistance between plates 6 and 7 and the shaft 19 carries a roller 21 of similar' length. A shaft 22 extends between and is journaled at its ends in the plates 6 and 7, at the forward portion of ysaid plates, which shaft carries, a roller 23 having a length substantially e ual to the distance be-A tween the plates Gand kA shaft 24 extends between. and is journal'ed in the plates 6 andV 7 at the upper front corner thereof, which shaft carries a roller 25 also extending between platesGand 7. A smaller roller 26 extends between plates 6 and 7 and has its ends j ournaled therein at the upper rear sidel of said plates. Asshown in Figsgl and` 3, said rolleris held in place by ak suitable arm 27 at one end and by an arm 28 mounted on the other end thereof, said arms being mount-V holes being shown as designated by suitable characters lillustrated as letters Vof the alphabet. A shaft 32 has its ends journaled in the arms 27 and carries a roller 33 extending between said arms. Another small roller 34 is journaled in and entends Abetween the plates `6 and 7, said roller preferably beingV held in place by collars 35 secured to its ends at the outer side of plates 6 and 7 respectively. Adapted to run about rollers 21, 25, 33 and 26, respectively, is a plurality of endless belts or strips 36. Vhile these strips 36 j may be made of various materials, in practice, they have been made of resilient or elastic webbing. This webbing preferably is of rather soft absorbent material. Adapted to run about the rollers 2O and 34 is a plurality of endless belts or strips 37, similar to the strips 36. The rollers 26 and 34, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are quite close together and Vit will be seen that belts 36 and 37 each have an upwardly inclined run which runsare in parallel relation and substantially in Contact. A plate 38 extends across the rear portion of belts 37, being secured to and supported on a Y bar 39 having its ends bent substantially at right'angles and secured to the outer sides, respectively, of yplates 6 and 7. The plate 33 carries a pluralityv of plates 40, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which plates extend at right angles to plate 33, being held in slots therein and also projecting between the belts'37 and at the outer sides of the end belts 37.

A pair of bars 41 are secured, respectively,

to the outer sides of plates 6 and 7 and project rearward therefrom, said bars being adapted Vto hold a sheet metal trough 42.

resting at its rear end on the plate 14 and being supported at its front end on a pair vof bars 44 secured at their rear ends to the base 5 and spaced some distance above said base at their forward and outer ends. A shaft 45 extends between and is j ournaled in the plates 6 and 7 being held in place by a collar 46 at one end anda collar 47 at its other end, the collar 47 having a handle 43 projecting therefrom.V The shaft 45 extends beneath the outer ends of bars 44`and has secured radially therein pins 49 disposed in alinement with said bars 44, said pins normally projecting forwardly and horizontally. The tanlr 43 has an upwardly projecting lip 43il at its forward end and a shaft 50 kextends between and isA secured in the sides of said tanlr. A roll-erV 51 journaled on shaft 50 and extends between the sides of sain ta'nlrhaving its top .placed-between the belts 36 and 37 substantially at the meeting point of these belts indicated at in Fig. 3, saidprints being disposed on the belts 37 with their concave side uppermost. rEhe-prints will be engaged between the belts 36 and 37 and willtravel upward between the inclined runs 36a and 37 of said belts. The prints continue to move upwardly above roller 34 and will pass beneath the belts 36 and over the upper roller 26, thus being bent in reverse direction to their curl Vand flattened. The prints will drop after passing roller 26 and will be collectcd in the trough or tray 42. As above stated, some prints require more flattening effect than others. It will be noted that the arms '27 and 23 can be swungabout the airis of roller 26 by withdrawing pin 31 from its hole 7 a in the plate 7 and swinging said arm. Then arms 27 and 28 are swung the position of roller 33 is varied rand the angle formed by the belts 36 and running over the roller 26 will be varied, said angle becoming wider as roll 33 is raised and becoming narrower of sharper as roll`33 is lowered. rlhe wider the angle the less flattening effect is given the prints and the sharper the angle the greater is the flattening effect given the prints. The flattening effect can therefore he quickly adjusted by the operator by merely moving the arm 28, the arm 27 moving therewith. i

Also, as above stated, it is sometimes desirable to prevent cracking of the prints and A tanlr 43 is disposed below the belts 36v for this purpose the prints are moistened. To effect this a supply of water or other moistening liquid is contained in the tank 43 to such a depth that the roller 51 is partially submerged therein. When it is desiredv to meisten the prints the arm 48 will be swung downwardly so that pins 49 are moved to vertical position. This raises the outer ends of arms 44 and the outer end of tank 43 and roller 51 is raised into engagement with the lower runs of the belts 37. As said belts move therein they will rotate the roller 51 and will have a layer of moisture imparted thereto. As these belts come over the roller 23 and under the roller 21, they come in contact with the belts 36 andthe latte-r belts will absorb some of the moisture. The moisture in one y into the tray 42.

or both belts Will be partially absorbed Vby the print as it travels in its movement from vroller 2l and the rollers 34 and 26 and Will thusbe softened so that all danger of cracking the prints as it moves over roller 26 is y,

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple and efficient device for flattening or straightening prints or similar curled articles. The device can be suited tothe amount of flattening effect necessary and the prints` can bev moistened to insure that they will not be cracked. The device is comparatively simple and is rapid in operation. The same has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and eflicient.

lt'ivill, of course, be understood, that varions changesmay be made in the form, de-

tails, ar angement and proportions of the parts Without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consistsin a device capableof carrying aut the objects above set forth, inthe novel' parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

l/'Vhat is claimed is:

1. A print flattening device having in combination, means for moistening a print, yand means for flattening said print While moistened. Y f

2. A print flattening means having yin combination, meansv for moving "and flatteningy a print, and means for inoisteniiig during said movement. .f y

3. A print flattening device having in combination, a pair of rollers mounted in spaced relation, a member having a convex surface and disposed about a fixed axis, an endless member moving around said rollers With the outer surface of one run thereof engaging said convex surface to form an angle in said run, and means for varying the size of said angle.

4t. A print flattening device having in combination, a. pairof rollers mounted in spaced relation, a member having a convex surface and disposed about av fixed axis, an endless meinber'moving around-said rollers With the outer surface of one run thereof engaging said convex surface to form an angle in said run, and means for varying the posit-ion of one of said rollers to vary said angle.

5. A print flattening device having in comsaid print vwith said strips.

bination, a flexiblesheet, a. memberhaving a vconvex surface over Which said sheet moves to fo-rm an angle in its outer surface, a print being adapted tofmovcbetiveen said sheet and member, and means 'for varying said angle. Y

6. A print flattening device having in combination., a traveling member With which said print moves, a member having 'a convex surface over which the printis moved by said traveling member, and means for supplying moisture for moistening said print While moving with said traveling member. l

7. A print flattening device having in rcom- .bination, a pairof parallel rollers, a plurality of comparatively narrow strips running over said rollers in close proximity to each other, a member having va convex surface over which one side of each of said strips runs to form an angle in said side and an endless Vmeans alined with said strips and moving over said convex surface in contact 8. A print flattening device having in combination, pair of parallel rollers, a plurality of comparatively narrow elastic strips running over said rollers in close proximity to each other, member having a convexl surface over which onel side of each-of said,

strips runs to forni an angle, insaid side and an endless means alined With said strips and vmoving over said convex surface in Contact .With sait strips.

9. A print flattening device having in commat-ion, an 'endless belt ruiming over a plurality ofparallel rollers and having a `printengaging run, a member `having aI convex surface over which said run passes to form an angle, a second belt running over a pluc rality of parallel rollers and having aprintengaging run parallel to and substantially in contact with said first mentioned run, one of said latter rollers being closely adjacent said member whereby said run of said second endless meniber terminates at saidroller and first mentioned run moves away-.from said over said roller.

- 10. A print flattening device having in combination, two closely adjacent'comparatively small parallel rollers, an endless memvber running over one of said-rollers and extending avvay from the other roller, a second endless member running over the other roller to form an angle in its surface, said endless members having their sides approaching said rollers parallel and substantially in contact a third roller over 'which said second mentioned endless member runs after leavingV said other roller, and means for varying' Vthe position of said' third roller to vary said angle.`

ll. A print flattening device having in combination, a'pair of rollers mounted in spaced relation, a .member having a convex surface and disposed about a fixed axis, an

endless member moving aronnd said rollers with the outer surface of one run thereof engaging said convex surface to form an angle in said run, a second endless member contacting said endless member, a tank disposed adjacent said last mentioned endless member for containing liquid7 neans in said tank partially submerged in said liquid. and means for moving` said means With said last mentioned endless member;

l2. A print flattening levice having' in combinaton, a plurality of parallel rollers, an endless belt of' absorbent n'iaterial running over said rollers adapted to engage and move a print, a tank adapted to contain liquid, disposed adjacent said belt, a roller in said tank partially submerged in the water therein, and

means tor moving said tank to bringv said roller into Contact with said Vbelt to moist-en the same. i

13. A print flattening device having in combination, two closely adjacent comparatively small parallel roller;7 an endless member running over one of said rollers and extendine` away from the other roller, a second endless member running over the other roller tovtorm an angle in its snritace. said endless members having their sides approaehing` said rollers parallel and substantially in contact and adapted to carry a print therebetween; V

le. A print flattening device having` in combination, a plurality of parallel rollers,

an endless belt of absorbent material 'running over said rollers adapted to engage and move a print, a tank adapted to contain liquid, disposed adjacent said belt. means in said tank partially sulimern'ed in said liquid, and means for movingl said means into p sition to moisten said belt.

l5. rl`he method o't handling a eurledphotographic print which consists in moistenins the print and then flatteningl said print while moist.

16. The method 'of handling a our-led photographic print which consists in moisteniim said print and then while said print is moist,`

bending` the same in a direction reverse to the curl thereoiv to flatten said print.

l?. The method of handling a curled pho-- tographic print which consists in moistening said print and then passing'said print b etween a flexible sheet and a memb having a convex surface, said sheet forming ar. angle over said member.

i8. The method of handling` a photographic print whiehveonsists in traversing said member in Contact with an absorbing flexible sheet and moisteninfil said sheet so that said moisture is absorbed by said print.

'19. rlhe method o'j handling photographic prints which consists in progressing; the same between flexible members of sheet material, moistening one of said sheets whereby said moisture is absorbed by said print and then passingI said print between one of saidsheets and a member havingr a convex surface in contact'with said sheet. said sheet making an angle over said member wherebyl said print bent.

Q0. The method of handling; a plurality of photographic prints, which prints are Carle( dili'erent amounts. which consists in bodily progressing the prints and while in progre. .ien ding; said prints in a direction reverse to 'their curl to flattensaid prints ana pro portioning the amount of bending effect to the amount. ol curl in said prints.V

2l. A print flattening device having; in combination, a frame, a print flattening means mounted on said frame comprisii of a movable flexible sheet, and means for hold ine' said print flattening` means in 'various print flattening positions.

22. A print flattening device having' in Combination, means for bending' a print comprisinga roller. a belt movable over said roller. the portions of said beltat either side of said roller making;r an angle with each other, said prints passing between said roller and belt. and means for varying' said ang-le to vary the degree of bending of said prints.

In testimony whereof l my signature.

GLEN M. DYE. 

